Posts by yalcekim

Another benefit of Florida is there is no state income tax. Unlike NJ, NY, etc...

Having been in South Florida my whole life, I prefer the Fort Lauderdale / Broward area to the Miami-Dade area. We have everything down here: the beach lifestyle if you like, country living if thats your sort of thing, a gorwing urban center in downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Just be prepared to be hot and sweaty from June - September.

Southwest Florida is real nice but I hear the job market over there is terrible right now. We put an ad out for a warehouse position at one of our branches in Fort Myers and had over 300 people show up the next day to apply. It was madness.

I commend the university for allowing the President to speak, despite the differences that exist between the Catholic doctrine and the President's own views. The bigger picture, which was overshadowed by the abortion debate, was the continued need for altruism among all people, regardless of religious beliefs. Summed up nicely by the president:

"For if there is one law that we can be most certain of, it is the law that binds people of all faiths and no faith together. It is no coincidence that it exists in Christianity and Judaism; in Islam and Hinduism; in Buddhism and humanism. It is, of course, the Golden Rule - the call to treat one another as we wish to be treated. The call to love. To serve. To do what we can to make a difference in the lives of those with whom we share the same brief moment on this Earth.

So many of you at Notre Dame - by the last count, upwards of 80% -- have lived this law of love through the service you've performed at schools and hospitals; international relief agencies and local charities. That is incredibly impressive, and a powerful testament to this institution. Now you must carry the tradition forward. Make it a way of life. Because when you serve, it doesn't just improve your community, it makes you a part of your community. It breaks down walls. It fosters cooperation. And when that happens - when people set aside their differences to work in common effort toward a common good; when they struggle together, and sacrifice together, and learn from one another - all things are possible."